CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The varsity baseball coach at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor is accused of trying to meet up with an underage child to have sexual relations, police said.
Gerald Holley, 57, was arrested Wednesday in Clinton Township after undercover detectives said they tabbed him as a child sexual predator on social media.
Holley is a biology teacher and has coached the varsity baseball team since 1995, according to the Pioneer High School athletics site.
"Gerald Holley is an employee of the Ann Arbor Public Schools and is on administrative leave," Ann Arbor Public Schools said in a statement. "As this is a personnel matter, we have no further comment."
Holley arrested after Macomb County sheriff's investigation
An undercover Macomb County Sheriff's Office detective said he had online conversations with Holley, who he said requested to have sexual relations with an underage child.
On Wednesday, they arranged to meet up, and the man expected to engage in sexual activity with an underage child, the detective said.
Holley traveled to the agreed location and was arrested, officials said.
"This is one of the many reasons we run a computer crimes unit," Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said. "In order to protect our children, these highly trained investigators continuously monitor the internet as well as social media platforms to find these predators."
Holley was charged with three felony counts of child sexually abusive activity and one felony count of using a computer to communicate with another to commit a crime.
Each count of sexually abusive activity carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The computer crime carries a maximum penalty of 15 years to life in prison.
"As often occurs in cases such as this, this man pursued a career which surrounded him with young people," Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith said. "I urge parents to remain vigilant of all those who supervise their children, even longstanding 'authority' figures. The predators are out there, and they make it their business to get right next to your kids."
Holley was arraigned Thursday in Clinton Township. He is being held on $50,000 bail and would have to wear a home confinement tether if he's released.
Holley is not allowed to have direct or indirect contact with any minor children and is not allowed to use the internet.
Holley is expected to return to court Sunday for a probable-cause conference.
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Pioneer High School bio
Here is Holley's bio on the Pioneer High School athletics site.
"Jerry Holley has been the Varsity Head Coach at Pioneer since 1995. He graduated from Central Michigan (Bachelor's) and Eastern Michigan (Masters).
"His coaching career started as head JV coach at Hastings High (2 years) and continued as head JV and assisted with Varsity at Dearborn St. Alphonsus High (6 years). He was head Varsity coach at St. Alphonsus(2 years), winning West Catholic League "Coach of the Year". His 10-year record at Pioneer is 189-118, including Michigan state Division 1 championship in 2004 and 2010. His team was runner's up in 2005.
"Coach Holley was selected Michigan coach of the year in 2004. He has coached first team All-State players: Alex Martin in 2002, Zach Putnam in 2003 and 2004, and Scott Martin in 2004; second team All-State players: Mark Richards in 2001 and Ryan Mosher in 2004; and many All-Regional, All-District, and All-Conference players.
"Jerry is a Biology teacher at Pioneer High School. He and his wife Tammy have two children who have since graduated from Pioneer."